Samwise CFL Newsletter
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Tiger-Cats 20, Argonauts 14: Tre Ford dazzles in Guelph preseason finale
Tre Ford put the preseason on notice Saturday night, leading the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to a 20-14 victory over the Toronto Argonauts at Alumni Stadium in Guelph. Ford reversed field on two defenders to throw a cross-body touchdown to Jerjuan Newton in the second quarter, then directed the winning drive in the fourth with a 50-yard completion to Jaelen Gill and a 12-yard scoring pass to Newton. Newton caught three passes for 87 yards and three touchdowns. Hamilton’s defence held Toronto to 207 total yards and 108 passing yards. Ford’s two-game performance effectively settles the Tiger-Cats’ backup quarterback competition over Jake Dolegala ahead of the June 4 season opener against Montreal.
Sources: 3DownNation, 3DownNation
Lions 30, Blue Bombers 19: Brice and Cenacle power BC to preseason finale win
Chase Brice and Nick Cenacle dominated the BC Lions’ 30-19 preseason win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday night. Brice completed 9 of 11 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns, with Cenacle hauling in four receptions for 111 yards and both scoring plays. The Lions trailed 10-3 after one quarter before outscoring Winnipeg 17-3 in the second to take a 20-13 halftime advantage and hold on from there. Winnipeg quarterback Taylor Elgersma showed improvement in the loss, giving the Blue Bombers reasons for optimism heading into the regular season, which opens for Winnipeg against Calgary on June 5.
Sources: 3DownNation
Redblacks 27, Alouettes 3: Ottawa dominates to close preseason perfect at home
The Ottawa Redblacks closed the 2026 CFL preseason with a commanding 27-3 victory over the Montreal Alouettes at TD Place on Friday night. Ottawa scored after a scoreless first quarter and continued to pull away as their depth overpowered Montreal’s reserves across the field. The Alouettes managed just one field goal over four quarters, with backup passers unable to generate sustained offensive movement. Ottawa’s defence was dominant, adding an interception return for a touchdown to complete a convincing display. Montreal combined for just 15 points across both preseason games, raising depth questions ahead of their June 4 regular-season road opener at Hamilton.
Sources: 3DownNation, 3DownNation
Stampeders 21, Elks 18: Calgary completes perfect preseason at nostalgic Clarke Stadium
The Calgary Stampeders completed a perfect 2-0 preseason with a 21-18 win over the Edmonton Elks at Clarke Stadium on Friday night, the first professional football game at the historic Edmonton venue since 1978. Quarterback Jacolby Criswell scored the winning points on a quarterback sneak with just over five minutes remaining to lift the Stamps. Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo rebounded from a rough first preseason showing, completing 9 of 11 passes for 96 yards, while running back Justin Rankin had a 19-yard carry early in the game. A one-hour lightning delay interrupted proceedings before Calgary sealed the win at the nostalgic venue.
Sources: 3DownNation, 3DownNation
Bombers release starting OL Randolph among 25 cut in Saturday purge
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers released 25 players Saturday ahead of the CFL’s mandatory cutdown deadline, headlined by offensive lineman Kendall Randolph. Randolph started 23 of 24 appearances with Winnipeg over the past two seasons at right tackle but was released following the off-season acquisition of Jarell Broxton. Defensive back Deandre Lamont, who accumulated 151 defensive tackles and four interceptions across 41 games with Ottawa, was the only other released player with notable CFL experience entering the cutdown. The Bombers added Canadian receiver Daniel Oladejo and 11 others to the practice roster to begin the year. Winnipeg opens the 2026 regular season at Calgary on June 5.
Sources: 3DownNation
Ottawa cuts three-time All-Star Wynn as league-wide CFL cutdown day wraps
The Ottawa Redblacks released veteran defensive tackle Dylan Wynn among 16 players cut Saturday. Wynn, a three-time East Division All-Star who accumulated 211 defensive tackles and 30 sacks across 107 career CFL games, had signed with Ottawa in February after two seasons with Montreal. In the league-wide cutdown that saw all nine CFL teams meet their mandatory active roster requirements, the Saskatchewan Roughriders released 19 players including running back Mario Anderson Jr., the Montreal Alouettes released 19, and the Calgary Stampeders cut 21 players including returner Kaylon Horton. Ottawa shifts focus to preparation for their June 6 regular-season opener against Edmonton.
Sources: 3DownNation, TSN
Alouettes cut Canadian QB Desjardins, backup Morgan among 19 releases
The Montreal Alouettes released 19 players Saturday, headlined by Canadian-born quarterback Arnaud Desjardins and American backup James Morgan. Canadian-born quarterbacks are exceptionally rare in the CFL, where the position typically goes to American non-imports, making Desjardins among a handful to reach a CFL active roster. Morgan appeared in 10 games in 2025, completing 55 of 93 passes for 547 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. The Alouettes scored just 15 combined points over two preseason losses to Ottawa and enter the 2026 regular season with questions around offensive depth ahead of their June 4 road opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Sources: 3DownNation
Eastern Division
2026 Season Begins June 4
Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Toronto Argonauts — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Ottawa Redblacks — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Montreal Alouettes — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Western Division
Opening Week: June 4–6
Calgary Stampeders — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Saskatchewan Roughriders — 0 pts (0-0-0)
BC Lions — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Edmonton Elks — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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